Beverage-dispensing machine comprising a pivoting pod container equipped with a device for moving distribution needles

ABSTRACT

A machine for dispensing beverages from a pod, includes a frame, a container including a pod-receiving zone, a fluid-dispensing needle holder to hold fluid-dispensing needles and a moving system for moving the needle holder from a position released from the pod to a position engaged on the pod, the moving system including a control member mounted in rotation about a vertical axis on the frame, wherein the control member includes a body equipped with at least one spiral ramp which cooperates with at least one pin secured to a piston, the piston being secured to the needle holder and mounted in translation along the vertical axis, the at least one spiral ramp including at least two different slope zones, configured to correspond respectively to a zone where the fluid-dispensing needles approach contact with the pod and to a work zone where the fluid-dispensing needles are engaged on the pod.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/FR2017/050240 filedFeb. 2, 2017, which in turn claims priority to French patent applicationnumber 1650910 filed Feb. 4, 2016. The content of these applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns a machine for dispensing beverages from a podand has the principal objective of facilitating the manipulation of themachine and the perforation of the pod by fluid-dispensing needlesduring preparation of a beverage.

“Pod” means a capsule comprising one or more chambers, each chambercontaining an ingredient forming part of the composition of thebeverage, these ingredients being intended to be mixed with water duringpreparation of the beverage.

In a particular, non-restrictive embodiment, the pod consists of acapsule comprising one or more storage chambers, each storage chambercontaining an ingredient, in particular a liquid, a channel allowingwater to be dispensed, and a mixing chamber. The pod is configured toseparate the mixing chamber from the at least one storage chamber andfrom the channel, in an initial mode, and to cause the mixing chamber tocommunicate with the at least one chamber and with the channel, in abeverage preparation mode. In addition, the machine comprises airinjection means and water injection means, configured to perforate thepod and to inject air and water respectively into the at least onestorage chamber and into the channel, in the beverage preparation mode.In this preparation mode, the air injected into the at least one storagechamber pushes the at least one ingredient into the mixing chamber and,concomitantly, the water injected into the channel is transferred intosaid mixing chamber, which allows the ingredient or ingredients to mixwith the water before the beverage is released into a container, such asa glass or tumbler.

STATE OF THE ART

Patent applications or patents published under the numbersUS20140360327, GB1051012, WO2013119543 and EP1996051 disclose machinesfor dispensing beverages from a pod.

According to this prior art, the beverage-dispensing machine comprises aframe, a container including a pod-receiving zone, a holder forfluid-dispensing needles and a system for moving the needle holder froma position released from the pod to a position engaged on the pod.

In the document GB1051012, the system for moving the needle holder isimplemented either by connecting rods ensuring circular translation ofthe needle holder, or by means for guiding the needle holder in verticaltranslation. In the document WO2013119543, the system for moving theneedle holder is implemented by a mechanism with connecting rods andsliding connections ensuring translation of the needle holder withrespect to the pod container. In the document EP1996051, the system formoving the needle holder is implemented by a mechanism with pivotingconnections and sliding connections, ensuring the combined switchover ofthe container and of the needle holder from the released position to theengaged position, and vice versa.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of this invention is to implement a machine for dispensingbeverages from a pod that presents the aforementioned characteristicsfrom the prior art, with a needle holder moving system that has anoptimized design ensuring suitable perforation of the pod, and is easyto use.

For this purpose, other than the aforementioned characteristics that arefound on the dispensing machines already known, the moving system of thedispensing machine according to the invention comprises a control membermounted in rotation about a vertical axis on the frame. This controlmember comprises a body equipped with at least one spiral ramp whichcooperates with at least one pin secured to a piston. The piston isitself secured to the needle holder and mounted in translation along thevertical axis. In addition, the at least one spiral ramp comprises atleast two zones with different slopes configured to correspondrespectively to a zone where the needles approach contact with the podand to a work zone where the needles are engaged on the pod. This designallows the user to engage the needle holder on the pod simply by turningthe control member. The slope of the approach zone is more pronouncedthan that of the work zone, which makes it possible to lower the needleholder quickly to put it in contact with the pod without significanteffort and with a limited rotation of the control member during thisapproach phase, and then to engage the pod more slowly by applying theleast effort and conserving maximum rotation of the control memberduring this work phase.

Preferably, the control member comprises a wheel secured to the body.This wheel allows suitable handling while reducing the effort to be madein order to actuate the body of the moving system.

Advantageously, the work zone is configured to include a first phase ofpenetration of the needles into the pod and a second phase of sealing ofthe pod by means of a gasket arranged on the needle holder. The slope ofthe ramp is optimized to guarantee a good compromise between thepiercing effort and the pod activation effort in the penetration phase,then a suitable compression of the gasket between the pod and the needleholder in the sealing phase. Preferably, the gasket is on the surface onthe needle holder, said needles passing through the gasket. Thiseliminates any air intake between the pod and the needle holder, inorder to guarantee a suitable beverage preparation cycle.

Preferably, the at least one ramp comprises two stopping protrusions atthe extreme rotation positions of the control member. This makes itpossible to keep the needle holder correctly in the released positionand in the engaged position.

Advantageously, the at least one ramp is configured so that moving theneedle holder from the released position to the engaged position, andvice versa, is carried out by turning the control member through anangle between 50° and 90°, preferably 65°. This guarantees a fluid wristmovement for the user, who can thus engage the needle holder on the podby making a natural movement, without significant effort.

In one embodiment of the machine, the body comprises three uniformlydistributed ramps, guaranteeing good distribution of load during thework phase. However, a different number of ramps could be envisioned.

In one embodiment of the machine, the moving system comprises means forassisting the lowering of the piston, which reduces the load duringmanipulation of the control member. Preferably, these piston loweringassistance means comprise a spring.

Preferably, the machine comprises a system for detecting the engagedposition of the needles on the pod. In one embodiment, the system fordetecting the engaged position of the needles on the pod comprises aswitch. This detection system guarantees that the beverage preparationcycle starts only when the needle holder is suitably engaged on the pod.

Preferably, the needles each present a sharpening with three slopes.This allows a better compromise between the piercing effort and thepiercing stroke.

In one embodiment of the machine, the needles are of at least twodifferent lengths. This allows the piercing efforts made by the needlesto be sequenced during the maneuvering of the needle holder.

Preferably, the machine comprises stopping means on the pod in theclosed position of the container with respect to the frame, configuredto guarantee that the pod is held in position in the container duringthe release of the needles. During the rising of the needle holder,after the preparation of the beverage, it is possible that the pod mayremain stuck to said needle holder; the stopping means allow the pod tobe detached to cause it to drop into the container's receiving zone,which prevents the pod from rising with the needle holder and blockingthe opening of the container.

Advantageously, the machine comprises an opening/closing device arrangedbetween the frame and the container to pivot the container about avertical axis between a closed position permitting dispensing, and anopen position permitting access to said container, and alocking/unlocking system configured to keep the container in the closedposition with respect to the frame and, conversely, to release thecontainer so that it can pivot into the open position.

In addition, the machine comprises a system for deactivation of thelocking/unlocking system, configured to prevent the activation of saidlocking/unlocking system as long as the system for moving the needleholder is in an engaged position on the pod. This prevents damage to themachine.

In addition, the machine comprises a system for blocking the movingsystem, configured to keep the needle holder in the position releasedfrom the pod as long as the container has not returned to the closedposition. This also prevents damage to the machine.

Preferably, the machine comprises load transfer means arranged betweenthe frame and the container, configured to stabilize the containerduring operation of the machine, in particular during perforation of thepod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following description demonstrates the characteristics andadvantages of the beverage-dispensing machine covered by the invention,according to a preferred and non-restrictive design. This description issupported by figures, among which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two overall views of a portion of thedispensing machine comprising the essential characteristics in relationto the invention, in particular the container that receives the pod, thecontainer opening/closing device, the fluid-dispensing needle holder andthe system for moving the needle holder, the container beingrespectively in the closed position and in the open position withrespect to the frame;

FIG. 3 illustrates an overall view showing in particular the design ofthe container, which is in the open position;

FIG. 4 illustrates an overall view showing the container opening/closingdevice and the system for moving the needle holder, with the containerin the open position;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two overall views showing the system fororientation of the opening of the container and the opening assistancesystem for said container, with the container in the open position;

FIG. 7 illustrates an overall view showing in particular the system formoving the needle holder;

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate two overall views showing in particular thecontainer locking/unlocking device, in the unlocked position;

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate two overall views showing the containeropening/closing device and the system for moving the needle holder, withthe container in the closed position and the needle holder in thereleased position;

FIG. 12 illustrates an overall view showing the system for orientationof the opening of the container and the opening assistance system forsaid container, with the container in the closed position;

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate two overall views showing in particular thecontainer locking/unlocking device, in the locked position;

FIG. 15 illustrates an overall view showing elements of theopening/closing device and the system for moving the needle holder, withthe container in the closed position;

FIG. 16 illustrates an overall view showing in particular the system formoving the needle holder with the needle holder in the releasedposition, and the container locking/unlocking system in the lockedposition;

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate two overall views showing a ramp on thesystem for moving the needle holder in the released position and theengaged position, respectively;

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate two overall views showing in particular thesystem for moving the needle holder in the engaged position;

FIG. 21 illustrates an overall view showing a wheel of the system formoving the needle holder, in the engaged position;

FIGS. 22 to 27 show a mode of design of a pod;

FIG. 28 illustrates an embodiment of the needles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate only the portions of the dispensing machine 1implementing the invention. This machine 1 comprises othercharacteristics such as a fluid supply system and a system to manage theactivation of this fluid supply system, which are not described below,as they are not essential to the implementation of the invention.

The machine 1 comprises a frame 2 and a container 3. The container 3allows a pod 4 to be received. This container 3 is mounted with apivoting connection with respect to the frame 2, about a first verticalaxis X1 illustrated in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4. The container 3 canpivot from a closed position, illustrated in FIG. 1, to an openposition, illustrated in FIG. 2, by rotating 180° about this verticalaxis X1. And vice versa. In addition, the direction of rotation can beclockwise or counter-clockwise, at the user's discretion, as will beshown in detail below. For this purpose, the machine 1 comprises anopening/closing device 5 arranged between the frame 2 and the container3, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 3, 4, 10, 11, 15 and 19.

This opening/closing device 5 comprises a system 6 for orientation ofthe opening of the container 3 and an opening assistance system 7,illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12. The orientationsystem 6 allows the container 3 to be opened in the direction oppositeto the direction of the preceding closing. The assistance system 7allows the container 3 to be brought from the closed position to theopen position by a 180° rotation movement, without manipulation by theuser.

The orientation system 6 comprises a rod 8 arranged along a secondvertical axis X2, in a manner secured with respect to the frame 2. Thisrod 8 holds a trigger 9 pivotably mounted along the second vertical axisX2 and housed in a hollow area 10 of a part 11 which is fixed to theframe 2. In this way, the pivoting of the trigger 9 about the verticalaxis X2 is limited by the lateral edges 10 a, 10 b of the hollow area10.

The assistance system 7 comprises an axle 12 arranged along the firstvertical axis X1. This axle 12 is mounted with a pivoting connectionwith respect to the frame 2 along the first vertical axis X1, and it issecured to the container 3. The orientation system 6 comprises avertical rib 13 arranged on the axle 12 and configured to bear against anose 14 of the trigger 9 during rotation of the axle 12.

Two springs 15 a, 15 b, indicated by portions of cylinders, are arrangedbetween the lateral sides 9 a, 9 b of the trigger 9 and the lateraledges 10 a, 10 b of the hollow area 10, as illustrated in particular byFIGS. 5, 6 and 12. When the container 3 is in the open position, thevertical rib 13 is released, contrary to the nose 14 of the trigger 9which is in the average equilibrium position in the area 10, asillustrated in particular by FIGS. 5 and 6.

During the closing of the container 3 by counter-clockwise rotation,illustrated by the arrow 16 on FIG. 12, the axle 12 and the vertical rib13 turn about the vertical axis X1, said vertical rib 13 then bearingagainst the nose 14, which causes the trigger 9 to rotate clockwise,illustrated by the arrow 17 on FIG. 12. The spring 15 b compresses untilthe lateral side 9 b of the trigger 9 abuts against the lateral edge 10b of the hollow area 10, which stops the rotation of the container 3 ina precise position of closing illustrated in FIG. 1. The operatingprinciple remains the same and is reversed when the container 3 isclosed by turning it clockwise about the vertical axis X1, in which casethe lateral side 9 a of the trigger 9 turns counter-clockwise and abutsagainst the lateral edge 10 a of the hollow area 10, the spring 15 abeing compressed in this case. The stopping position of the vertical rib13 remains identical when it abuts against the nose 14 of the trigger 9,whether the container 3 is turned 180° clockwise or counter-clockwiseduring the closing. In addition, the presence of this trigger 9 abuttingagainst one or the other of the lateral edges 10 a, 10 b of the hollowarea 10, in the closed position, requires that the container 3 be openedin the direction opposite to the direction of the closing justperformed.

A locking/unlocking system 18 allows the container 3 to be kept in theclosed position with respect to the frame 2 and, conversely, allows thecontainer 3 to be released so that it can be pivoted to an openposition. This locking/unlocking system 18 will be described in moredetail below. During unlocking, the release of the container 3 allowsthe spring 15 a, 15 b, which is in the compressed state, to relax andpush the trigger 9 to cause it to pivot in the direction opposite to thedirection of the preceding closing. The nose 14 then bears against thevertical rib 13, which forces the axle 12 to turn in the directionopposite to the direction of the preceding closing, thus giving animpulse to the container 3 and releasing it from the closed position.

The assistance system 7 comprises a plate 19 secured to the axle 12,this plate 19 comprising two ramps 20 a, 20 b arranged symmetricallywith respect to a vertical plane P1 passing through the vertical axisX1, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 12. These ramps 20 a, 20 b areslanted and form a top 21 and a housing 22 opposite said top 21. Theassistance system 7 further comprises a support member 23 in the form ofa hollow cylinder slidably mounted on the rod 8 along the secondvertical axis X2. This support member 23 comprises a tab 24 which isarranged in a housing 25, as illustrated for example by FIGS. 3, 4 and15. This housing 25 prevents the rotation of the tab 24, and thusensures the mounting in translation of the support member 23 along thevertical axis X2. This support member 23 comprises a finger 26 equippedwith a roller 27 mounted in rotation about a horizontal axis X3. Thisroller 27 bears against one or the other of the ramps 20 a, 20 b of theplate 19, according to the direction of rotation of the container 3. Aspring (not illustrated) is arranged on the rod 8 along the axis X2 toapply a downward retraction force on the support member 19, which forcessaid container 3 to turn from the closed position to the open position,once said container 3 is released by the locking/unlocking device 18. Inthe closed position, the roller 27 is situated at the top 21 on theplate 19, in a position of equilibrium. The impulse given by the impulsesystem consisting of the springs 15 a, 15 b, of the trigger 9 and of thevertical rib 13, allows the trigger 27 to be engaged on one or the otherof the ramps 20 a, 20 b according to the direction of rotation, theassistance system 7 then ensuring the complete opening of the container3. In the open position, the roller 27 is positioned in the housing 22on the plate 19, which ensures that the container 3 is suitably andstably kept in this open position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 12, the ramps 20 a, 20 b on the plate19 each comprise at least two different slope zones 28 a, 28 b allowingtwo torques to be applied to the container 3 during its opening. Thismakes it possible to reduce the load on the container 3 at the end ofopening of the latter. In addition, the machine 1 comprises a buffersystem 29, illustrated for example in FIGS. 4 and 11, configured tobuffer the container 3 during its rotation to the open position. Thebuffer system 29 comprises a pinion 30 secured to the axle 12, whichmeshes with a sprocket wheel 31 secured to an oil buffer 32.

The machine 1 comprises a locking/unlocking system 18, illustrated inparticular in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 20, which allows thecontainer 3 to be kept in a closed position with respect to the frame 2,in which position the beverage can be dispensed when a pod 4 is presentin a receiving zone 33 of said container 3. The locking/unlocking system18 comprises a movable lock 34, means 35 for control of the lock 34,arranged on the frame 2, and a housing 36 arranged on the container 3,this housing 36 being configured to receive the lock 34 when thecontainer 3 is in the closed position. The control means 35 comprise aconnecting rod 37 whose lower extremity 37 a is secured to the lock 34.The connecting rod 37 is mounted with a pivoting connection 38 about ahorizontal axis X4 with respect to the frame 2. The control means 35also comprise a control button 39 mounted in translation along avertical axis X5 with respect to the body 40. This control button 39comprises a finger 41 which bears against the upper extremity 37 b ofthe connecting rod 37, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in a determinedposition of said body 40, as will be explained below. This finger 41 isarranged vertically and off-center with respect to the vertical axis X5of translation of the control button 39. A press on the control button39 lowers the finger 41 which rests on the upper extremity 37 b of theconnecting rod 37, allowing it to pivot about the horizontal axis X4,and thus allowing the lock 34 to be released from the housing 36 on thecontainer 3, which allows the container 3 to pivot to the open position,as explained previously. In addition, the control means 35 comprise areturn element (not illustrated) of the lock 34, in the form of aspring, which applies force on the lock 34 and/or on the connecting rod37 so as to ensure that said lock 34 returns to the position maintainingthe container 3.

As illustrated in particular with regard to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14,16 and 20, a second connecting rod 42 has its lower extremity 42 amounted in pivoting connection 43 about a horizontal axis X6, withrespect to the frame 2. The second connecting rod 42 comprises anopening 44 extending on a portion of its length, this opening 44receiving a lug 45 arranged on the first connecting rod 37 secured tothe lock 34. A presence sensor 46, such as a strip sensor, is secured atthe upper extremity 42 b of the second connecting rod 42. Duringpressure on the control button 39, the lower extremity 37 a of the firstconnecting rod 37 pivots backwards about the horizontal axis X4. The lug45 then applies a force to the second connecting rod 42, allowing thepresence sensor 46 to pivot backwards about the horizontal axis X6. Whenthe pressure on the control button 39 stops, the return element of thelock 34 acts in the opposite way on the first connecting rod 37, whichitself acts on the second connecting rod 42, ensuring that the presencesensor 46 pivots forwards. The container 3 comprises a slot 47 allowinga portion of the contour 48 of the pod 4 to appear, when the latter ispresent in the receiving zone 33, as illustrated in particular in FIGS.2, 3 and 16. When the presence sensor 46 is pivoted backwards, thelatter is released from the slot 47, which allows the container 3 topivot without interfering on the presence sensor 46. Conversely, whenthe presence sensor 46 is pivoted forwards, the latter penetrates theslot 47 and can come into contact with the wall 48 of the pod 4 or comeinto proximity with the latter, which allows the detection of thepresence of said pod 4 in the receiving zone 33 of the container 3. Thelock 34 comprises two slightly beveled teeth 49 a, 49 b whichrespectively abut against two points of contact 50 a, 50 b on thecontainer 3, during the pivoting of said container 3 in the closedposition, in the clockwise direction or, conversely, in thecounter-clockwise direction. Thus, during the closing of the container 3by pivoting it clockwise, the first point of contact 50 a abuts againstthe first tooth 49 a. Conversely, during the closing of the container 3by pivoting it counter-clockwise, the second point of contact 50 b abutsagainst the second tooth 49 b. The beveled shape of the teeth 49 a, 49 band the circular shape of the container 3 allow the lock 34 to be pushedbackwards while allowing the container 3 to slide to its closedposition. The backwards movement of the lock 34 concomitantly ensuresthe movement of the presence sensor 46, by means of the connecting rods37, 42, which avoids any interference between the presence sensor 46 andthe container 3 during the closing. Once the container 3 is in theclosed position, the return element (not illustrated) ensures that thelock 34 returns to position in the housing 36, and that the presencesensor 46 returns to position in the slot 47.

The machine 1 comprises a needle holder 51 and a system 52 for movingthe needle holder 51 from a position released from the pod 4,illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 16, to a position engaged on the pod 4,illustrated in FIG. 19. The needle holder 51 receives three needles 53a, 53 b, 53 c connected to conduits 54 a, 5 ab, 54 c allowing fluids tobe dispensed, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 16. The number of needlesand the types of fluids dispensed, in particular air or water, depend onthe design of the pod 4. In this instance, the machine 1 is configuredto receive a pod 4 comprising two storage chambers 55 a, 55 b, eachstorage chamber containing an ingredient (not illustrated), and achannel 56 for dispensing water, as illustrated in FIG. 25. During themove from the released position to the engaged position, the needles 53a, 53 b, 53 c perforate the seal 57 of the pod 4 illustrated in FIG. 22,and position themselves respectively in the upper parts of the twostorage chambers 55 a, 55 b and of the channel 56.

The moving system 52 comprises a control member 58 which comprises theaforementioned body 40. This body 40 is preferably equipped with threespiral ramps 59 uniformly distributed around its cylindrical wall, for abetter distribution of load. The body 40 comprises a circular throat 60which receives three first pins 61 uniformly distributed around thisthroat 60 and secured to an element 62 of the frame 2, as illustratedfor example by FIGS. 15 and 18. This allows the body 40 to be mounted inpivoting connection about the vertical axis X5, with respect to theframe 2. The control member 58 also comprises a wheel 63 which comprisesfemale gear teeth 64, illustrated in FIG. 21, configured to cooperatewith male gear teeth 65, illustrated for example in FIG. 15. Therotation of the wheel 63 also results in the rotation of the body 40.The moving system 52 comprises three second pins 66 secured to a piston67 and engaged respectively in the three spiral ramps 59, as illustratedin particular in FIGS. 11 and 17 to 19. The piston 67 is secured to theneedle holder 51 and it is mounted in sliding connection about thevertical axis X5. The rotation of the wheel 63 thus results in therotation of the body 40 and, thus, the movement of the spiral ramps 59with respect to the second pins 66, then resulting in the translationalong the vertical axis X5 of the piston 67 and of the needle holder 51,with respect to the element 62 of the frame 2. With regard to the shapeof the spiral ramps 59, illustrated in particular in FIGS. 17 and 18, aclockwise rotation of the wheel 63 results in a downward translation ofthe needle holder 51, and vice versa in the counter-clockwise direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 19, a surface gasket 68 is arranged on thelower face of the needle holder 51, said needles 53 a, 53 b, 53 cpassing through said gasket 68. When the needle holder 51 is in theengaged position on the pod 4, this gasket 68 comes suitably intocontact with the surface of the seal 57 of the pod 4, which eliminatesthe venting of the storage chambers 55 a, 55 b and of the channel 56 ofthe pod 4 after this seal 57 is perforated by the needles 53 a, 53 b, 53c and during the injection of fluids inside said pod 4.

As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 17 and 18, each spiral ramp 59comprises three different slope zones 59 a, 59 b, 59 c. The first slopezone 59 a corresponds to a zone where the needles 53 a, 53 b, 53 capproach contact with the seal 57 of the pod 4. The other slope zones 59b, 59 c correspond to two phases of a work zone where the needles 53 a,53 b, 53 c are engaged on the pod 4. The slope zone 59 b corresponds toa first phase of penetration of the needles 53 a, 53 b, 53 c in the seal57 of the pod 4 and the slope zone 59 c corresponds to a second phase ofsealing of the pod 4 where the gasket 68 on the needle holder 51suitably molds to the seal 57 after its perforation by said needles 53a, 53 b, 53 c. In addition, each spiral ramp 59 comprises twoprotrusions 69 a, 69 b allowing the body 40 to be held in position withrespect to the pin 66 in two extreme rotation positions, as long asmanual action is not applied on the wheel 63. This ensures that theneedle holder 51 is stopped and suitably held in the engaged positionand in the released position corresponding to said extreme positions.Preferably, the spiral ramps 59 are configured so that the pins 66 reachthe extreme positions with respect to the body 40 by turning the wheel63 through an angle between 50° and 90°, preferably 65°. Preferably, themoving system 52 comprises a spring (not illustrated) arranged betweenthe piston 67 and the element 62 of the frame 2, this spring making itpossible to assist the lowering of the piston 67 in the phases ofapproach and perforation of the seal 57 of the pod 4.

The needles 53 a, 53 b, 53 c each comprise a sharpening with threeslopes 70 a, 70 b, 70 c so that a point 71 can be formed at theextremity of each needle, which facilitates the perforation of the seal57 with a reduced torque during the rotation of the wheel 63. For thesame purpose, it is possible to provide for different lengths for theneedles 53 a, 53 b, 53 c, which makes it possible to sequence thecontacts of said needles with the seal 57 of the pod 4 and, thus, tosequence the perforation efforts of said seal. Preferably, the twooff-center needles 53 a, 53 c are of the same length for betterstability during perforation of the seal 57.

As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 7, 15 and 21, the machine 1comprises a system 72 for detecting the engaged position of the needles53 a, 53 b, 53 c on the seal 57 of the pod 4. This detection system 72comprises a strip sensor-type switch 73, which is secured to the element62 of the frame 2, and a protuberance 74 arranged inside the wheel 63.The needle holder 51 reaches the engaged position with respect to thepod 4 by turning the wheel 63 clockwise until the pins 66 surpass theprotrusions 69 b on the spiral ramps 59, in which position theprotuberance 74 abuts against the switch 73 and activates it, whichallows the machine 1 to initiate the cycle of dispensing fluids throughthe needles 53 a, 53 b, 53 c ensuring a perfect sealing between theneedle holder 51 and the pod 4 and, thus, proper dispensing of thebeverage.

At the end of the beverage dispensing, the user turns the wheel 63counter-clockwise until the pins 66 surpass the protrusions 69 a on thespiral ramps 59, which allows the piston 67 and the needle holder 51 torise. During this rise, the pod 4 could remain stuck to the needleholder 51, which could block the opening of the container 3. Toguarantee that the pod 4 stays in the housing zone 33 of the container 3during the release of the needles 53 a, 53 b, 53 c, a stop element 75 onthe frame 2 is positioned above a portion of the seal 57 of the pod 4with the container 3 in the closed position, as illustrated by FIG. 19.

As illustrated in FIGS. 22 to 27, the pod 4 comprises a body 76comprising an intermediate surface 77 and walls 78, 79 defining the twostorage chambers 55 a, 55 b and the channel 56. The intermediate surface77 is covered with a film (not represented in the figures) to close thetwo storage chambers 55 a, 55 b. The pod 4 also comprises a movablebottom 80 arranged in a sliding manner in the body 76, below theintermediate surface 77. The movable bottom comprises two needles 80 a,80 b. During the placement of the needle holder 51 on the seal 57 of thepod 4, when the pins 66 are situated in the work zone on the spiralramps 59, the movable bottom 80 slides in the body 76 of the pod 4 untilit reaches the intermediate surface 77. The needles 80 a, 80 b perforatethe film, which permits the activation of the pod 4 and the constitutionof a mixing chamber (not illustrated). This mixing chamber communicateswith the two chambers 55 a, 55 b and the channel 56, which allows theingredients and the water inside this mixing chamber to be dispensedduring the dispensing of fluids for the preparation of the beverage,which gradually flows through an outlet opening 81 arranged in themovable bottom 80. Other pod 4 designs may be envisioned, where theprinciple of moving the needle holder 51 from the released position tothe engaged position on the pod 4 using the aforementioned moving system52 remains identical.

When the container 3 is open for the placement of a pod 4 or the removalof a used pod 4, any movement of the needle holder 51 toward the engagedposition should be avoided, so that the container 3 does not strike theneedle holder 51 during the next closing, which could damage the machine1. For this reason, the machine 1 comprises a system 82 to block themoving system 52, illustrated with regard to FIGS. 3, 7, 11 and 15. Theblocking system 82 comprises a blocking part 83 mounted in slidingconnection with respect to the element 62 of the frame 2 such that itslides from a retracted position, illustrated in FIG. 15, where the head83 a of the blocking part 83 is housed in the element 62 of the frame 2,to an active position, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7, where the head 83 aof the blocking part 83 surpasses the element 62 of the frame 2 andengages in an opening 84 arranged in the bottom of the wheel 63, whichblocks the rotation of this wheel 63, preventing the activation of themoving system 52 which keeps the needle holder 51 in a releasedposition. The translation of the blocking part 83 is obtained by meansof a circular groove 89 arranged on the container 3, this circulargroove 89 comprising a curved bottom 90 in which is housed a foot 91arranged at the lower extremity 83 b of the blocking part 83. When thecontainer 3 is pivoted to a closed position, the foot 91 is housed inthe depression of the curved bottom 90, in the central part of thecircular groove 89, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, in which positionthe head 83 a of the blocking part is released from the opening 84. Onthe contrary, when the container 3 is in an open position by pivotingclockwise or counter-clockwise, the foot 90 is situated on one of theedges 89 a, 89 b of the circular groove 89, in the least deep portion ofthe curved bottom 90, in which position the head 83 a is engaged in theopening 84.

When the needle holder 51 is engaged on the pod 4 for dispensing abeverage, any possibility of opening the container 3, which could alsodamage the machine 1, should be avoided. For this purpose, the machine 1comprises a system 85 to deactivate the locking/unlocking system 18,preventing the lock 34 from being released from the housing 36 on thecontainer 3. This deactivation system 85 is implemented by means of thecontrol button 39 mounted in sliding connection with respect to the body40 of the control member 58, said body being mounted such that it canrotate about the vertical axis X5. The finger 41 on the control button39 is off-center with respect to the vertical axis X5. When the wheel 63is in a position in which the pins 66 are abutting in the spiral ramps59 at the protrusions 69 a, the needle holder 51 is released from thepod 4 and the finger 41 corresponds with the upper extremity 37 b of theconnecting rod 37, as illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 16, which allows thelock 34 to be unlocked by pressing on the control button 39 in order toopen the container 3. As soon as the wheel 63 is turned and the pins 66leave the protrusions 69 a to move to the approach zone and the workzone on the spiral ramps 59, the finger 41 is released from the upperextremity 37 b of the connecting rod 37, which prevents the activationof the connecting rod 37 and the release of the lock 34 when the controlbutton 39 is pressed.

As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 to 4, the frame 2 of the machine1 comprises a support foot 86 in the form of a cylindrical portion. Thelower portion 3 a of the container 3 comprises two flanges 87 a, 87 bwhich are positioned above the support foot 86 when said container 3 isin the closed position. During a movement of the needle holder 51 fromthe released position to the engaged position on the pod 4, these twoflanges 87 a, 87 b bear against the support foot 86, which ensures loadtransfer during the engagement of the needle holder 51 on the pod 4.

As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 3 comprisestwo recesses 88 a, 88 b arranged on each side of the receiving zone 33of the pod 4, which facilitates the placement of the pod 4 in saidreceiving zone 33, and conversely its removal. For the same purpose, theslot 47 also facilitates the manipulation of the pod 4 during itspositioning in the container 3 or its removal from the latter.

The container 3 also comprises a support part (not illustrated)receiving the pod 4, this support part being configured to be removablyhoused in the receiving zone 33, in order to allow it to be removed andfacilitate the cleaning of said container 3.

The machine 1 also comprises a reading system (not illustrated), forexample a barcode reader, which is arranged on the frame 2 or on thesecond connecting rod 42, such that it is positioned opposite the slot47 on the container 3 arranged in the closed position and such that itallows the reading of a graphic code arranged on the portion of thecontour 48 of the pod 4 appearing at the slot 47. This allows themachine 1 to recognize the type of pod 4 arranged in the container 3 andthe beverage to prepare, in order to control the dispensing of fluidsaccordingly. When the presence sensor 46 indicates the presence of a pod4 in the container 3 in the closed position, and the switch 73 indicatesthat the needle holder 51 is in the engaged position on the pod 4, andthe reading system has recognized the type of pod 4 arranged in thecontainer, the activation management system (not illustrated) of themachine 1 controls the fluid-dispensing device in order to supply thequantities of fluids necessary to prepare the beverage. This readingsystem may also fulfill the function of the presence sensor 46, sincethe reading of the graphic code systematically indicates the presence ofa pod 4 in the receiving zone 33 of the container 3.

The preceding description is not restrictive in nature, numerousvariants being possible without departing from the context of theinvention. For example, one could provide for implementation variantsfor the system 52 for moving the needle holder 51. For example, onecould provide for a reversal of the direction of the ramps 59 on thebody 40 of the control member 58, for the movement of the needle holder51 from the released position to the engaged position on the pod 4, andvice versa. In this case, the direction of rotation of the wheel 63 willbe reversed. One could also provide for needles 53 a, 53 b, 53 c havingidentical lengths and coming into contact simultaneously with the seal57 of the pod 4.

One could also provide for a different number of needles, according tothe type of pod 4 that may be used to prepare beverages.

In one embodiment, the machine 1 allows cold beverages to be prepared.However, one can envision embodiment variants for the preparation of hotbeverages, the machine 1 being in this case equipped with a hot waterproduction device heating the water prior to its dispensing.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A machine for dispensing beverages from apod, comprising a frame, a container including a pod-receiving zone, afluid-dispensing needle holder to hold fluid-dispensing needles and amoving system for moving the fluid-dispensing needle holder from areleased position released from the pod to an engaged position engagedon the pod, and vice versa, the moving system comprising a controlmember mounted in rotation about a vertical axis on the frame, whereinthe control member comprises a wheel and a body equipped with at leastone spiral ramp which cooperates with at least one pin secured to apiston, the wheel and the body being configured for rotation about thevertical axis with respect to the frame, the piston being secured to theneedle holder and mounted in translation along the vertical axis, saidat least one spiral ramp comprising at least two different slope zones,configured to correspond respectively to a zone where thefluid-dispensing needles approach contact with the pod and to a workzone where the fluid-dispensing needles are engaged on the pod, whereinrotation of the wheel results in rotation of the body and movement ofthe at least one pin of the piston along said at least one spiral rampof the body, thereby translationally moving the piston along thevertical axis and moving the fluid-dispensing needle holder between thereleased position and the engaged position.
 2. The machine according toclaim 1, wherein the work zone is configured to include a first phase ofpenetration of the fluid-dispensing needles in the pod and a secondphase of sealing the pod by means of a gasket arranged on thefluid-dispensing needle holder.
 3. The machine according to claim 2,wherein the gasket is on a surface on the fluid-dispensing needleholder, said fluid-dispensing needles passing through the gasket.
 4. Themachine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spiral rampcomprises two stopping protrusions at extreme rotation positions of thecontrol member.
 5. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one spiral ramp is configured so that movement of thefluid-dispensing needle holder from the released position to the engagedposition, and vice versa, is carried out by turning the wheel through anangle between 50° and 90°.
 6. The machine according to claim 5, whereinthe at least one spiral ramp is configured so that movement of thefluid-dispensing needle holder from the released position to the engagedposition, and vice versa, is carried out by turning the control memberthrough an angle of 65°.
 7. The machine according to claim 1, whereinthe body comprises three uniformly distributed ramps.
 8. The machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the moving system comprises means forassisting the lowering of the piston.
 9. The machine according to claim8, wherein the means for assisting the lowering of the piston comprise aspring.
 10. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising adetection system for detecting the engaged position of thefluid-dispensing needles on the pod.
 11. The machine according to claim10, wherein said detection system comprises a switch.
 12. The machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the fluid-dispensing needles each comprisea sharpening with three slopes.
 13. The machine according to claim 1,wherein the fluid-dispensing needles are of at least two differentlengths.
 14. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising meansfor abutment against the pod with the container in a closed positionwith respect to the frame, configured to guarantee that the pod is heldin position in the container during the release of the fluid-dispensingneedle holder.
 15. The machine according to claim 1, further comprisingan opening/closing device arranged between the frame and the containerto pivot the container about a vertical axis between a closed positionpermitting dispensing, and an open position permitting access to saidcontainer, and a locking/unlocking system configured to keep thecontainer in the closed position with respect to the frame and,conversely, to release the container so that the container is pivotableinto the open position.
 16. The machine according to claim 15, furthercomprising a system for deactivation of the locking/unlocking systemconfigured to prevent activation of said locking/unlocking system aslong as the moving system for moving the needle holder is in the engagedposition on the pod.
 17. The machine according to claim 15, furthercomprising a system for blocking the moving system, configured to keepthe needle holder in the released position released from the pod as longas the container has not returned to the closed position.
 18. Themachine according to claim 1, further comprising a load transfer meansarranged between the frame and the container, configured to stabilizethe container during operation of the machine.
 19. The machine accordingto claim 1, wherein the body is mounted such that the body is onlyconfigured for rotation about the vertical axis.
 20. The machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a circularthroat for receiving one or more pins secured to the frame.